About
The six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910 were the greatest sporting events of their day, and the first international automobile road races held in the United States. The races had a far-reaching impact on the development of American automobiles and parkways. This site provides comprehensive information on the races, the Long Island Motor Parkway and current Long Island automotive events, car shows and news.
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Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
Website by Eric Miller Design
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From Josato Inc proposing to build 4 single family homes on former Levittown site of the Motor Parkway
From Althea Travis:
“Howard -
...The Greater New York Region of the Antique Automobile Club was honored to host you. Our members were enthused about the history that you shared and want to learn more about the very first parkway, especially since it is right in their own backyard. We hope that our meeting this week will be the start of an ongoing relationship with the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society.
We would like to host you again next year and get an update on what is new in the preservation effort and learn how we can help.
Thank you for all that you are doing on behalf of Long Islanders now and those who will inherit Long Island from us in the future.
Althea Travis
On behalf of GNYR
From Howard Kroplick's Events & Presentations
I worked at the Post Office at 110 and Duryea Rd. from when it first opened till up to 5 years ago,when I retired,so I know the area
From Mystery Foto #9 Possibly Solved: Powell Avenue Bridge and Nibbe Farmway Bridge in Bethpage?
I have a feeling it is the bridge that holds up the cement mixer in Melville east of Broad hollow Road because it has the same messages on the abuttments. “Please be careful” on the left and “Dont Pass cars” on the right. Mike L
From Mystery Foto #9 Possibly Solved: Powell Avenue Bridge and Nibbe Farmway Bridge in Bethpage?
From Stuart L:
Howard Kroplick gave a GREAT lecture about the history of the Vanderbilt Races on Long Island.
A few tidbits of info from me…of all the automobiles in those races only three are still in business and sold in the USA….Mercedes, Buick and FIAT….Darracqs were entered in some of those races….in 1910 a group of Milanese businessmen purchased the company and renamed it Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili (ALFA)..in 1918 Nicola Romeo purchased the company and it was renamed Alfa Romeo. In 1986 Alfa Romeo was purchased by FIAT from the Italian government. FIAT now owns Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Lancia (Lamborghini is owned by Audi).
From Howard Kroplick's Events & Presentations
From Lanny W.
“Thank you again for a most enjoyable presentation on the History of the Long Island Motor Parkway. I think people learned a lot and have some new places to explore right in their own backyard.”
From Special Upcoming Presentation: “Exploring, Biking and Hiking Along the Historic Motor Parkway"
Excellent interview Howard, I couldn’t have done it any better.
From Award-Winning Video: Howard Kroplick Q &A “The Long Island Motor Parkway”
Great presentation last nite. I will hike and explore Trail #3 and Trail#4.I’m 5 minutes away,now the I know what to look for,it will be more interesting. I hope you can make use of that article I gave you to look at.
From Howard Kroplick's Events & Presentations
I would have loved to hear this presentation! Perhaps you’ll mention some of these opportunities at the Greater New York AACA meeting on Thursday night. Are we still on your schedule for an 8 pm meeting? Ellyn Okvist will follow you and speak for a few minutes about plans for a future group ride.
From Special Upcoming Presentation: “Exploring, Biking and Hiking Along the Historic Motor Parkway"
From Andy W:
“Thanks so much for the pics of the Vanderbilt estate. I grew up in Sands Point and remember the house well. The “now” pictures actually look pretty much the same as the house looked in the 50’s and 60’s.”
From Then & Now: Alva Vanderbilt Belmont's Beacon Towers in Sands Point
Levittown, looking east. LIMP at Left.
From Mystery Foto #8 Solved: Levittown/Bethpage on May 27, 1947
Hi - just about in my backyard! Location is looking east through Levittown, Island Trees and Bethpage. The Motor Parkway enters on the left crosses the Wantagh Parkway extension and Newbridge Road, then veers north to the Grandstand area (the straightaway) and then back a little south and east heading to Dead Man’s Curve (can’t pick that out however). Hempstead Turnpike is on the right side of the photo.
The photo has to be between 1938 and 1947 as that was the period the Wantagh Parkway extension to the Northern State Parkway was built (so probably closer to 1947 as the extension looks pretty much complete). Also, no Levitt homes are seen which would have been noticed following 1947. Also the Aviation Country Club, on the north side of the Parkway which i think is the group of buildings in the center of the straightaway was closed in 1948.
Vanderbilt Cup Races were used this section in 1908, 1909 and 1910.
Either 5 or 6 Motor Parkway bridges: There was the 1) Westbury Ave. bridge but I don’t believe that’s on the photo (would have been to the left of the Wantagh Parkway). Then there would be the 2) Newbridge Road bridge, 3) Jerusalem Ave. bridge (just east of the Aviation Country Club) , the 4) Blooomington Rd. farmway bridge, the 5) Wantagh Avenue bridge , and with good eyes or a magnifying glass, 6) the Massapequa/Hicksville Road Bridge. I’m counting the Wantagh Parkway bridge that I imagine went over the Motor Parkway/Westbury Road.
As mentioned the LI Aviation Country Club is on the north side of the Motor Parkway and also Grumman Airport is to the east and north.
From Mystery Foto #8 Solved: Levittown/Bethpage on May 27, 1947
Howard, thanks for adding all the times
From Howard Kroplick's Events & Presentations
Ted, times have been added.
From Howard Kroplick's Events & Presentations
This whole area was a favorite stomping ground for me and my bicycle buddies back in the very late 50s and early 60s. The property was in constant flux then and we were able to bike right through the changing estate sites in construction and end up on the small beachfront just slightly southwest of the main property. As kids we always thought the gatehouse WAS the estate!
From Then & Now: Alva Vanderbilt Belmont's Beacon Towers in Sands Point
Howard Can you let me know what time on Tuesday? it doesn’t tell you,Thanks
From Howard Kroplick's Events & Presentations
Josh, super! Please email it to me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .
From Then & Now: Alva Vanderbilt Belmont's Beacon Towers in Sands Point
E. Dean, good typo catch. Thanks!
From Mystery Foto #7 Solved: Driver Louis Rigolly in a Gobron-Brillié Racer
This is an easy photo to id. Looking East, with the Wantagh State Pkwy at the bottom and Farmingdale at the top. Hempstead Tpke on right, Newbridge Rd on angle at bottom, Motor Pkwy on left with the 2 bends in the road, going past the Aviation Country Club in Hicksville (notice the clubhouse), Republic Airport in distance at the top. Location of Central RR tracks running across the center on slight angle. Date pre-1947 - before Levittown, probably between 1939 and 1945.
From Mystery Foto #8 Solved: Levittown/Bethpage on May 27, 1947
Gordon-Brillie? Is it not Gobron-Brillie? I am familiar with the Gobron-Brillie (my Cincinnati shop restored a Gobron-Brille engine a few years ago, but I have no knowledge of a Gordon-Brillie. Restoration of the Gobron-Brillie engine was interesting. These engines have two pistons in the same cylinder. Because the cylinders are verticle, the lower (upside down) piston tends to fill with oil, the result being a lot of smoke. We were able to stop the smoking after experimenting with rings.
From Mystery Foto #7 Solved: Driver Louis Rigolly in a Gobron-Brillié Racer
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